Ten Of Our Favorite Scenic Road Trips

Those who love road trips are the curious, the spontaneous, and the free-spirited—and travel inspiration abounds when we hear the amusing or alarming tales of others. From Iceland and Australia, to Mexico and Bolivia, the road trips that follow offer many reasons to jump in the car and explore a new destination. Here are our favorites, told through the images and anecdotes of ten different photographers.

American-Australian photographer Jesse Lizotte’s series ‘Alto Aqui’ depicts his two-week trip traversing the Baja Peninsula on Mexico’s northwestern coast. Lizotte had his cameras stolen, and the photographs that the series comprises of are from a camera that survived the robbery. You can find the series here.

Sao Paulo-based photographer Bruno Candiotto braved heavy altitude sickness and icy winds to capture the rugged valleys and meandering streams of Cajon del Maipo. Unbearable levels of dust, sharp temperature drops and even a visit to the hospital did not get in the way of a “painful but unforgettable” photographic experience. Read the full story here.

Brazilian photographer Gleeson Paulino and German designer and director Nathini van der Meer were set up on a blind friend date; the next time they saw each other they embarked on a three month long coast-to-coast road-trip across the United States via the deep south. Read their adventure here.

“Alaska is perhaps my favorite place, a rare place where nature is still at full work, preserved in a unique way.” Canadian photographer Alex Strohl traveled through almost inaccessible land to tap into the remoteness of wild Alaska, creating authentic memories in moments of unpredictable weather. More on the story here.

Melbourne-based photographer Sarah Pannell left central Adelaide for the rolling green hills of Mclaren Vale, the viticultural region of the South Australian state. It was there she often pulled over on the side of the road to capture picturesque moments—where the sea meets clifftops, forests, farmlands, and mountains; spotting a koala, kangaroo and dolphin or two. To read more, click here.

Austrian photographer Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek took to the road to document the dramatic beauty of the Austrian countryside. From rivers of emerald water and captivating alpine roads to towns that sit framed by rolling hills, highlights included a local meal in a charming village and a swim in fresh lake water in the Northern Limestone Alps. Read the full feature here.

German photographer Stefan Haehnel started his road trip in Reykjavík and went north towards the Snæfellsnes peninsula. “Neither words nor photographs can capture the feeling of standing in an endless lava field covered in moss or next to a geysir while it erupts”, he insists. His imagery of the magical Icelandic landscapes does, however, insist otherwise. Find out more here.

Berlin-based photographer Anke Nunheim was fascinated by the contrasts of Bolivia’s sparse high mountains and the endless expanse of the Sala de Uyuni. Tales of volcanic hot springs, rose flamingos, pink lagoons, alpacas, and cacti, prove that Bolivia’s vast and stunning nature is a sight to behold. Read Anke’s full account here.

Zurich-based photographer Julien L. Balmer captured the ancient city of Fès in Northern Morocco, known for its medieval medina and labyrinth of small streets, used by donkeys, mules, and pedestrians. Balmer hired a car and drove to the surrounding countryside in the early mornings, without a map, a plan, nor a care in sight. More on Balmer’s story here.

Spanish photographer Jan Phoenix shares his personal account of walking through the empty forests and the open fields of the Catalan Pyrenees. Whether it’s hearing wild horses outside his tent or cooking stovetop dinners by the creek, leaving comfort behind enabled Phoenix to realize that all we need is good company to feel complete. Read Phoenix’s personal journey here.